Low Emission Zones are no longer mandatory for 24 Catalan cities. The government is exempting these cities due to improved air quality.
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The decision to exempt these cities stems from a recent review.
Low Emission Zones Exemption Explained
The review, conducted by the Departament de Territori, is scheduled for January 2026. The affected areas are primarily in the second metropolitan ring. This includes the Vallès Occidental and Baix Llobregat regions, as well as several coastal municipalities. According to El Periódico, the improvement in air quality indicators is the main reason.
The legal backdrop involves both state and regional obligations. The Ley 7/2021 requires Low Emission Zones in all municipalities with over 50,000 residents. This law also applies to those with over 20,000 if they exceed limit values.
The Catalan government approved Decree 132/2024 last year. It regulates the Air Quality Plan (horizon 2027) and short-term action plans for pollution episodes. However, the decree reaffirms the ZBE requirement for municipalities exceeding limits, setting a reference date of January 1, 2026.
The Impact of Air Quality Improvement
This detail expands the scope to pollutants like ozone (O3), which operates under target values. Decree 132/2024 included a preliminary list of obligated municipalities in Annex 4. It also stipulated that Territori must revise this list annually. This revision depends on exceedances of limits and objectives.
The improved air quality has resulted in 24 municipalities being excluded. These municipalities initially appeared as obligated but no longer register exceedances in the 2020-2024 average. However, the immediate consequence is a slowdown, at least for now, in the implementation timeline.
The list of exempt cities includes Barberà del Vallès, Calafell, Cambrils, and Castellar del Vallès. Esparreguera, Figueres, and Les Franqueses del Vallès are also exempt. So are Igualada, Martorell, and Montcada i Reixac. The list continues with Olesa de Montserrat, Palafrugell, and Ripollet. Salou, Sant Andreu de la Barca, and Sant Feliu de Guíxols are also excluded. Other cities include Sant Pere de Ribes, Sant Quirze del Vallès, and Santa Perpètua de Mogoda.
This exemption isn’t permanent. The decree mandates annual updates to the map. However, should pollution levels rise, these municipalities could be added back to the list. Meanwhile, following this review, Territori confirms 38 Catalan municipalities must implement Low Emission Zones.
Municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants include Barcelona, Badalona, and Castelldefels. Cerdanyola del Vallès, Cornellà de Llobregat, and El Prat de Llobregat are also included. Also obligated are Granollers, Girona, and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Rounding out the list are Lleida, Manresa, Mataró, Mollet del Vallès, and Reus.
The municipalities exceeding limits with over 20,000 inhabitants include Amposta and Banyoles. In addition, Esplugues de Llobregat, Gavà, and Manlleu must comply. Furthermore, Molins de Rei, Olot, and Salt are required to implement ZBE. Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, and Sant Joan Despí are also on the list.
Therefore, while some cities are relieved of the immediate obligation, continued monitoring is essential. The government will continue to assess air quality.
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